Villa Antinori, also known as Villa Monna Lisa, is officially on the market. This historic Tuscan residence, which hosted Lisa Gherardini – the noblewoman portrayed by Leonardo da Vinci in the famous painting “Mona Lisa” – is currently listed by Italy Sotheby’s International Realty for the impressive sum of 18 million euros. Located on the outskirts of Florence, the villa represents not only a beautiful architectural example but also an invaluable piece of history.
The property, surrounded by lush hills, was owned by the Antinori family until the mid-20th century before being sold. The Mona Lisa, painted between 1503 and 1506, was commissioned by Lisa Gherardini’s husband, Francesco del Giocondo, a member of a powerful 16th-century family and then owner of the villa. This historic residence has seen illustrious figures such as Baldo d’Aguglione, the Florentine jurist who condemned Dante Alighieri to exile, mentioned by Dante himself in the Divine Comedy as the “villan d’Aguglion.”
In addition to its rich historical past, Villa Antinori has a strong connection with the Antinori family, renowned wine producers. The villa’s façade is the iconic image on the “Villa Antinori” wine label, chosen in 1928 by Marchese Niccolò Antinori to symbolize the values of home, territory, and Tuscan tradition.
Features of the Villa
Surrounded by a 300,000 square meter green area, the villa is a complex that includes numerous outbuildings such as the caretaker’s house, agricultural buildings, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a private chapel with a polygonal plan. The garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Cecil Pinsent, is a true park with symmetrical flower beds, ornamental ponds, roses, and tall trees. A tree-lined avenue of Tuscan cypresses leads to the villa’s main entrance via a double flight of stairs.
The interior of the villa is equally majestic, with a total area of 2,800 square meters. It includes spacious and elegant living rooms, kitchens, 14 bedrooms – one with an antique iron panoramic veranda – 15 bathrooms, a library, a fitness room, and a panoramic terrace called the “clock terrace,” which offers a breathtaking view of the Florence plain.